NBA game delayed due to technical glitch as horn sounds for 13 minutes straight
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The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers had to deal with a very loud interruption during the Pistons’ 122-119 overtime victory on Friday at Little Caesars Arena.
During a timeout, with the Pistons up 65-64, the horn sounded to signal the teams to return to play. But the horn sounded for 13 straight minutes, delaying the game.
The horn sounded after a power surge caused the top scoreboard to malfunction. The horn finally went off as arena staff closed the overhead scoreboard and the crowd applauded.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, left, talks with teammate James Harden during a timeout against the Detroit Pistons in the second half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Feb. 27, 2026. (Lon Horwedel/Imagn Images)
Although the horn failed, the scoreboard and clock above the baskets were reset to zero. After 18 minutes, play resumed. The scoring team used a hand-held horn when play resumed and the top scoreboard was black.
The referees brought Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff and Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson to midcourt for a brief discussion before announcing the game would resume without the main score. However, moments after the game restarted, the scoreboard came back on.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson argues with a referee in the first half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on February 27, 2026. (Lon Horwedel/Imagn Images)
Due to the delay and extra time, the match lasted 3 hours and 22 minutes.
Cleveland, which hosts Detroit on Tuesday night, led by nine points with 2:44 left in regulation, and Cade Cunningham fouled out with 1:56 left. But the Pistons outscored the Cavaliers 16-7 and forced overtime.
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Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff yells instructions to his team during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Detroit on February 27, 2026. (Duane Burleson/AP Photo)
Cunningham had 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for East-leading Detroit before fouling out. Jalen Duren had 33 points and 16 rebounds for the Pistons in the victory.
Jarrett Allen had 25 points and nine rebounds for Cleveland, which played its second straight game without James Harden (thumb) and Donovan Mitchell (groin). Evan Mobley had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Sam Merrill added 20 points.
The News contributed to this report.
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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for News Digital.